Tongue-protector.



No. 725,354. PATBNTED APR. 14,1903. J. S.. G.NIGHOLLS.

TONGUE PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED D120. 23, 1901.

110 MODEL.

l icasea." x/lavemn' ATENT mos.

JOHN S. C. NIOHOLLS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TONG U'E-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFEGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,354, dated April 14, 1903.

Application filed December 23, 1901. Serial No. 86,905. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. O. NIcHoLLs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk, State of Massar chusetts,have invented a certain new and useful Tongue-Protector, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a plan view of one form of my new tongue-protector. Fig. 2 is a side view of the tongue-protector shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 shows the protector in use.

My invention is an instrument adapted to be used by persons subject to epilepsy, and when used it is inserted between the jaws of the person when attacked by that disease and serves to hold the jaws apart, and there'- by protect the tongue from injury by the teeth when the jaws are drawn together by the contraction of the muscles of the face.

My new tongue-protector comprises a tapered body portion in the form of a baror other suitable shape, and when used the smaller or reduced end of the body portion is'inserted between the upper and lower teeth of the person attacked, either by the person himself or by an assistant, and the protector is forced in between the teeth, the tapered body acting to wedge the jaws apart, although the muscles of the face have contracted and closed them. When in position, the body portion is between the teeth and holds the jaws apart, thus preventing the teeth from closing onto the tongue and injuring it. In the best form of my invention the tapered body portion is provided with a head at its larger end, and means is also provided for holding the protector in position in the mouth and between the teeth and for preventing it from being pushed out by the tongue or from being displaced by the struggles or movements of the user.

Another feature of my invention consists in providing a passage-way through the body portion through which medicine may be passed into the mouth.

Having reference to the drawings, 1 represents the body portion of my new tongue-protector, said portion being herein shown as a tapered or wedge-shaped bar. (See Figs. 1

and 2.) At its smaller end body 1 is reduced to quite a sharp edge, so that it may be easily entered between the teeth of a person attacked by epilepsy even after the muscles of the face have contracted and closed the jaws together. At its larger end body 1 is formed with a head 2, which serves to prevent the protector from being pushed or from passing entirely into the mouth, said head resting or abutting against the teeth or lips of the person to whom the protector is applied,as shown in Fig. 5.

' To hold the protector in position between the jaws, a strap or elastic band 3 is provided, which is passed around the head of the user, as in Fig 5. p

' Through the body 1 a passage-way 4 is provided, which at the smaller end of body 1 is forked so as to have two outlets 41 and 42, and this passage-way is provided so that the instru ment'may be used not only as aprotector for the tongue but also as a means through which medicines may be easily passed into the mouth, when desired. The purpose of having two outlets to this passage-way 4 out attempting to set forth all the different forms in which it may be embodied or all the uses to which it may be applied,what I claim 1. The above-described instrument made up of a wedge-shaped body portion having a head at its larger end; a passage-way through said body portion; and a band fastened to said head for holding the instrument in position.

2. The above-described instrument made up of a wedge-shaped body portion having a head at its larger end; a passage-way through said body portion having 'twooutlets and a band fastened to said head for holding the instrument in position. i

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. C. NIGHOLLS.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR F. RANDALL, OSCAR F. HILL. 

